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RESEARCH PRODUCT

Current distribution of Pilularia globulifera L. in Poland – changes of geographical range and habitat preferences

subject

description

<em>Pilularia globulifera </em>is a subatlantic European fern threatened with extinction. In Poland, it reaches the eastern border of its continuous range. Up to the end of the 20th century, it was observed here in 21 stands; only 2 of them existed by the second half of the century, so the species was categorized as critically endangered. Five new locations have been found in western and northwestern Poland during the last 10 years. Abundant and permanent populations grow in 3 locations, while 2 stands were ephemeral. All the current stands are situated in anthropogenic habitats with spontaneous vegetation, in oligotrophic to eutrophic waters. One of the new localities is about 280 km distant from the eastern range of the limit known previously. <em>Pilularia </em>forms its own plant community <em>Pilularietum globuliferae</em>, enters plots of <em>Ranunculo-Juncetum bulbosi </em>and occurs in mesotrophic to eutrophic rushes of <em>Eleocharis palustris</em>, <em>Phragmites australis</em>, <em>Typha angustifolia </em>and <em>Equisetum fluviatile</em>. Specimens are vigorous and regularly produce sporocarps.